Friday 8th March

Chapter Two

Elly's POV

Elly walked up to the Brennan house feeling very much alone. The house was silent. Elly couldn't recall it ever been this quiet. She wanted to go home and curl up in bed alone to forget what she was feeling over Mark up and disappearing. But she wasn't going to allow him from hurting her like this by shutting her out yet again. She needed to find out if his siblings knew his whereabouts yet and it was just her he was ignoring. Elly pulled out her house key.

I wonder if this place is ever going to feel like home. Maybe I should've moved in here once Mark and I became engaged. But I put it off, not that Mark ever officially asked me to move in. I guess he just assumes it doesn't matter and that living between his place and Susan and Karl's before the wedding is normal for us as a couple. I wonder what it's going to be like to live here with my husband...and his sister Chloe, my best friend, who's in love with me...or was...she fell back in love with Mel until Mel betrayed her last week. Maybe living here with Chloe no longer has the fear of Mark finding out about Chloe kissing me before Christmas and me hiding it from him if she doesn't have feelings for me anymore. I don't know how I feel about that.

Elly opened the front door, glad to see that Chloe was there and curled up on the couch.

Chloe looks like she needs as much comfort as I do. I should hang around with her and make sure she's doing okay after Mel ran off.

Elly put her keys in her handbag, closed the door behind her, locked it and then took her shoes off, kicking them to the pile of other shoes in the entrance.

Chloe greeted her without looking up to see it was her, "Hey Elly."

How does she do that? Know that it's me. Does she know me that well that I can walk in the house and she knows it's me without looking at me?

Elly threw her handbag at the single sofa seat, rolling her eyes as it bounced off and landed on the floor instead. Elly sat down on the couch next to Chloe, "How did you know that was me?"

Chloe waited a few seconds before answering, "Aaron and David are out on a quiet date night spending some quality time together after everything that happened this week...and Mark is...not here."

Deciding not to be coy as to why she'd come over, Elly laid her arm along the top of the couch, "Have you heard from him? He won't answer my texts or calls. I just want to know where he is."

Elly watched as Chloe shifted on the couch so she was facing Elly, and responded, "You're not alone in that, we don't know where he is. I'm sure he's fine, he's just struggling but he'll be back. He has to be, he's got a wedding to attend next week and a beautiful bride walking down the aisle to marry him."

She called me beautiful...what else did she say...my mind is still stuck on...'beautiful.' The smallest of smiles creeps across Elly's face. I can't help it. What is this that one word from Chloe makes me forget why I'm here just for a moment? But I do remember. Mark. Shutting me out of his life again. I'm marrying him in less than a week.

Elly knew she couldn't be like Mark, that she could open up and no matter how much she had struggled to come to terms with Chloe's feelings for her, Chloe was always there for her as a supportive friend, "I should've seen this coming, he's been distant for weeks. Mark's never been able to open up to me. He doesn't even care about key parts of our wedding. Seems that talking to Kate's gravestone has been the only thing that has got him to express himself. I've always been fifth priority for Mark, maybe sixth."

I'm marrying a guy who puts me sixth in the priorities list. Who does that? Mark has a past, we all do, and he can't change how much he felt for the other women that were in his life before me. But he can find a way to move past it and put me first...or second after his siblings and mum...right? I don't want to think about the possibility I could possibly be making a mistake by dedicating my life to a man that can't make me a priority.

Argh I can't believe that I even want to consider it but Mel made Chloe her priority. I mean yes she was a ruthless bitch who nearly killed my sister and broke Chloe's heart but when you break it down...she loved Chloe enough to do anything to stay in her life. A job here working for Paul and the security of been able to financially support herself to move interstate on just a single chance that Chloe could forgive her and possibly love her again. I'm glad she's gone. She was crazy, yes. But everything she did was to make things right with Chloe and make her the priority in her life once she had set herself up here. Why can't anyone make me a priority in their life like that? Did I seriously just compare the priorities of an incompetent arsonist to what I want to feel from someone?

Elly broke the silence, "How are you doing? With the whole situation of Mel trying to burn down the garage and going on the run after you went to the police about her?"

Elly watched as Chloe thought about the situation Mel had caused.

I shouldn't have brought it up. She's still hurting. She really did fall back in love with her...why does that make me feel terrible in the pit of my stomach that Chloe was in love with someone who isn't me? Aaron was wrong; this isn't jealously, its concern for my friend...right?

Before Chloe could answer, Elly's phone alerted her to a text message. Elly shifted from the couch, sat down in front of the couch on the floor and leaned over to her handbag to pull out her phone. She could sense Chloe relax out on the couch without her sitting in such close proximity. Great, now I won't have to see that pain all over Chloe's face until I go back to her... Elly reads the message and sits in stunned silence, all thoughts of Mel have disappeared as her world broke apart.

Mark what have you done?!

"I can't marry you. The wedding can't go ahead next week. Mark," Elly stated in shock then shrieked, "A text message to break off our wedding! An effing text message? Not even an effing apology. Who the hell tells someone they can't marry them by text message?"

Elly could feel Chloe sit up and the way the blonde starred down at her in almost as much shock as she was in.

I'm panicking. How could Mark do this to me? Does he even care about me to realise how callous and unemotional this is? A text message to end our wedding! I know he's in pain and I should be supporting him in his grief but how am I expected to when I don't even know where he is or what he is thinking besides the fact that our wedding is off?

Elly feels the comfort of Chloe's hand reaching out to rest on her shoulder. Chloe's words give Elly support but can't allay her fears, "I'm sure Mark doesn't mean it. Give him a few minutes and then call him. I'm positive Mark is not thinking right at this moment, he wants to marry you, he loves you. The second he hears your voice he is going to realise what a mistake that message was and that the only thing in the world he wants is you."

Despite Chloe's calming nature, Elly felt anger inside her.

I'll never be the only thing in the world he wants, it's all I've ever wanted and it's too much for him to handle. Why can't the person I love do that for me?

Elly threw her phone at the sofa seat, "I don't want to talk to him after that. Have the balls to tell me face to face he doesn't want to be with me. Break up with me in person and be here to cancel the wedding instead of leaving me to do it."

Chloe squeezed Elly's shoulder, "Mark never said that he doesn't want to be with you."

Chloe's hand is so warm. She's so comforting when she's in so much pain herself. Why can't Mark be warm and comforting? Oh because he doesn't want me, that's why!

"Mark doesn't have to. For once he is not closing himself to me; he's making himself perfectly clear. He doesn't want to be with me," Elly responded desperately, "I should be glad Mark's finally being honest with me."

"Mark wants to be with you, he wants to marry you!" Chloe declared. Elly felt how much Chloe meant every word that she said.

Chloe's not berating Mark for doing this, she's not out to underplay Mark by twisting this situation to make me despise him, she has complete confidence that Mark and I will get married, she's not sitting here reminding me how she may still have feelings for me or that she sees me in a way I'm starting to feel that Mark never will.

"How could he not?" Elly heard Chloe whisper. Until now...

Elly turned around to face Chloe, as Chloe's hand still lingered on her shoulder, Elly looked up at her best friend, "Mark has never let me in, he's always shut me out, this wasn't a message that he wants to postpone the wedding. The wedding is off and we're over. I'm done letting him treat me this way."

I deserve better than how Mark treats me. I need someone who I connect with completely and who will always be honest with me, always keep me safe. When did I stop using the pronoun for a guy when thinking about what I want in a partner?

Elly became aware that Chloe has started dragging her thumb around in circles along her shoulder.

Chloe is completely supportive and comforting me as I deal with the prospect my relationship with Mark is over. But I can see she wishes she could do more. She doesn't want to confuse me...any more than I'm already starting to feel. She doesn't see any kind of future of actually been with me and she has put Mark ahead of everything she feels for me for months now.

Chloe insists,"You don't mean that. You love Mark. He loves you. Give him a moment to deal with what he's just done. You'll be stronger from this by tomorrow I promise you."

I don't think I do love Mark anymore. Is that even possible? That one text message, 12 words, could completely change my feelings about him? Mark doesn't make me feel strong. He's not supportive, he berates me and likes to challenge me when I speak my mind, he's OCD in some serious ways that annoy me, and he never puts me first.

The way he holds me in his arms, I'm starting to see that there's something missing between Mark and me. He doesn't make me feel the way Chloe is making me feel right now and all she's doing is holding my shoulder. I wonder what it would feel like to have her hold me in her arms. Not a hug, more than that. To hold me like I'm the most special person in the world to her. I crave the desire to reach out. I can't resist. I need to know how it would feel to hold her too.

Elly watched silently as Chloe stared as she reached her arms towards Chloe's shoulders, one hand resting on each shoulder.

I'm holding back tears. This doesn't feel like anywhere near what I feel when Mark holds me. This feels like it should when the person holding you loves you completely.

"Why can't someone put me first?" Elly asked in the smallest voice that could barely be heard even in the empty house.

Elly watched Chloe quietly, saw her react, the way her face softened, her eyes full of confusion.

Tell me you could be that person for me, Chloe. I know this is messy. I know you don't want to hurt Mark, I don't either. I know if you tell me what I want to hear than everything will change. Oh hell I've never given you a chance to think for one second this thing between us was anything but one sided.

You've put yourself on the line for me, told me how you've felt about me, reminded me that you need space to get over me but I wouldn't let you. It's taken me this long to come to terms with the fact that all the things I truly deep down need from a partner could possibly be from you and not your brother.

Chloe I feel it now, I'm not ready to say it out loud or even begin to comprehend what has changed this evening but I'm looking into your eyes and seeing with absolute clarity that you would put me first. You would do anything in the world to make me smile. Make me happy. Make me feel safe and complete. Make me feel like the only person in the world-

"You would, wouldn't you?" Elly whispered before her brain could stop her.

Fuck. I said that out loud! I'm pushing Chloe to admit to me what we both know is the truth. She would do all these things for me and more if I gave her the chance. Except the one thing I can't believe I'm admitting to myself now - Chloe won't make a move on me.

I've rejected you so many times these past four months. I've denied any feelings of jealously. I've hurt you so badly by forcing you to stay here for the wedding, to be my bridesmaid, to watch me promise my future to Mark. I didn't support your reunion with Mel. I didn't want to see you in her arms. I didn't want to acknowledge that the person I've waited my life for could be you.

And if I want to acknowledge it and make you see that I feel this thing between us too then I need to be strong enough to be the one to...shut up and take action.

Elly's entire world spun on its axis and all thoughts left her mind as without warning her lips were on Chloe's.

One thought did immediately come to Elly's mind - Wow!

The kiss lasted two seconds but to Elly it felt like an eternity. Elly pulled away. Elly didn't want to open her eyes, didn't want to see the look on Chloe's face, didn't want Chloe to think that she was seeking comfort from her to use her and didn't want Chloe to believe for a second that this will never happen again.

Elly kissed Chloe a second time, this time a few seconds longer. It was gentle, soft, and chaste. Elly braved opening her eyes this time when they parted. Elly could see the confusion all over Chloe's face.

She never thought this would ever happen. No matter how strong her feelings are for me, she never once believed I could return those feelings for her. She's too afraid to believe this is really happening. She's afraid to open herself up to me. She's afraid to tell me she does still love me. She's afraid to make any further move that tells me she wants me. Us.

"I thought you wanted this," Elly whispered in confusion.

Please Chlo, I've made an absolute mess of everything and destroyed you but I realize that now and I made the first two moves here. I need you to make the next one.

"I...I do...want this," Chloe stammered. Elly looked concerned when Chloe looked away. Elly slid her arms from Chloe's shoulders to hold her face gently, allowing Chloe to continue, "But you don't. You're in pain and you're hurting and you're-"

Fucking kissing her again! After everything I guess I really do need to make the third move on you tonight to make you see that I am not going to freak out on you, Chloe, like every damn time I have when you reminded me of your feelings for me? Why can't you see what this is doing to me? That I am here kissing you...again!

The two broke apart again, this time, Elly pressed her forehead against Chloe's, finally accepting that Chloe needed to hear her say it, "I want this too, okay? I don't want to be with someone who won't put me first, who won't make me smile, make me feel safe and happy. You do all those things and I've been completely blind to it. You've been right in front of me the whole time."

Elly gazed deeply into Chloe's eyes as Chloe held Elly's face in her hands, willing Chloe to believe her wildest dreams were coming true or that she could be the type of person who would implode Chloe's entire family if she allowed herself to kiss Elly again.

Elly kissed her again, this time deeper and with a little more desire.

Four times! I've kissed her four times. I'm still ruining everything in my life by allowing this. Except her. Except my feelings for Chloe. That's the one thing I'm not ruining by kissing her.

And I said it. I mean I said it to myself and not out loud but I've admitted it to myself now.

I have feelings for Chloe. And that feels okay. I am okay with this.

Elly's sudden braveness at admitting her feelings to herself made her tongue dance along Chloe's lips, seeking to deepen the kiss further. Chloe allowed her to. Soon they were fighting each other, not wanting to allow their kiss to weaken. Still fighting for control in their kiss, without a word, Elly shifted from her spot on the floor looking up at Chloe, and nestled herself back on the couch with her legs over Chloe's right leg, Chloe's left leg still hung to the side of the couch.

Elly held onto Chloe tightly finally allowing the blonde control over their passionate kiss.

Elly smiled as they broke apart as she realised I can't feel terrible anymore over this. There is this girl who I actually have feelings for and I'm no longer hiding from this.

They held each other close, delicately kissing for what felt like hours.

Elly was disappointed when she forced herself to break away from Chloe again at the sound of another text to her mobile. I should've known this wouldn't last. It'll be Mark apologizing and the wedding will be back on and Chloe will forget the last hour ever happened.

Elly ignored the phone. Instead she stood up and reached for Chloe's hand. She still believes I'm going to break her heart. Prove her wrong... Chloe took Elly's hand and to her complete surprise Elly didn't stand in front of her and break her heart into a million pieces.

Elly led Chloe away from the lounge room to Chloe's bedroom.